from ABSS Athletic Policy Manual

EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS

Your child has indicated a desire to participate in interscholastic athletics and activities. Supporting policies that govern school competition and the conduct and training of school athletes enables our community to create programs with positive opportunities and experiences for all students. Participation in athletics and activities is an extension of a student’s school experience and provides many valuable life lessons to young student-athletes. The Alamance Burlington School System is committed to providing a challenging, meaningful, and positive extra-curricular experience for students, parents, and coaches. Participation in athletics and activities is an extension of a student’s school experience and provides many valuable life lessons to young student-athletes. The Alamance Burlington School System is committed to providing a challenging, meaningful, and positive extra-curricular experience for students, parents, and coaches.Athletics and extra-curricular activities complement, support, and extend a student’s overall academic experiences. o Involvement in athletics and activities provides opportunities to develop character, discipline, leadership, responsibility, and skill.

• A successful athletics and activities program requires the cooperation and support of coaches, athletes, parents/guardians, students, community members, and school personnel. Conduct and training of school athletes enable our community to create programs with positive opportunities and experiences for all students.

PARENT/COACH RELATIONSHIP

• Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to children.

• As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

COACH’S EXPECTATION OF COMMUNICATION

• Concerns should be expressed directly to the coach

• Notification of any schedule conflicts should be communicated in advance

• Understanding of a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations

• As your children become involved in the programs with the Alamance Burlington School System, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

• Team concerns/questions should be communicated in the following order: Coach, Athletic Director, School Assistant Principal for Athletics, School Principal, then the District Athletic Director. If the District Athletic Director is contacted first, the parent will be redirected to the school. ·

• Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches include playing time, team strategy, play calling, and other student-athletes (except to report a violation of the Athletics and Activities Code of Conduct).

• These are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These interactions are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

COMMUNICATION TIMEFRAME EXPECTATION

Please allow 24 hours to receive a return of all phone calls and 48 hours for returned emails from the coach/sponsor, Athletic Director, and/or Assistant Principal of Athletics and Activities.

* Negative comments and unsportsmanlike behavior toward other parents, athletes, coaches/sponsors, or officials will not be tolerated and may result in removal from that event, possibly for the remainder of the season.